Tow rod for vehicles



May 11, 1926. v 1,583,806

' 1.. a. SNYDER TOW ROD FOR VEHICLES Filed'o t. 7. 1925 INVENTOBPatented May 11, 1926.

UNITEDLSTATES LEN n. SNYDER, on NEW, MARTINSVIIJLE, wns'r vmarn rii.

TOW ROD FOR VEHICLES.

Application filed October 7, 1925; Serial No. 61,022.

This invention relates broadly to trailer hitches, and morespecifically'to a rod or pole for towing automobiles.

The primary object of the invention is to 6 provide a tow-rod structurefor automobiles which is readily yieldable in a lengthwise directionboth under pulling and end-thrust strains for reducing the shocksincident to towing.

'10' In describing the invention in detail, reference is herein had tothe accompanying drawings, in, which- Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe invention; and V 16 Figures 2 and 3 are sections taken, re-

spectively, on lines 2-2 and 34-3, Fig. 1.

Referring to said drawings, 1 and 2 indicate the body portions of twosimilar metal rods which are terminated at their outer 20 ends by eyeportions 3 and 4:, respectively, or by any other suitable form ofcoupling '01' attachment for making connection to a vehicle. Directedlongitudinally through the interior of a heavy cylindrical coil spring 5from opposite ends of the latter, said rods having their inner endportions 1 and 2 turned back and disposed parallel toand closelyexterior to said spring. Said end portions, or members l and 2 haveinturned lug-like terminals 1 and 2 which are spaced from the bends 1and 2 a distance sub stantially corresponding to the length of thespring 5, said bends 1 and 2 resting upon opposite ends of said springand the terminal lugs 1 and 2 being disposed, respec-' tively, in seatedenclosing relation to the endssopposite said bends. While the rods 1 and2 may be of cylindrical form throughout their lengths, it is 40preferred that they be'flattened somewhat, as shown, in the portionswhich embrace the spring, thus to reduce the diameter of spring requiredand to lessen the cross sectional dimensions of the device in the parthaving the greatest width.

It will be manifest from the foregoing description that, under tensilestrain, as in pulling, the spring is yieldingly compressed lengthwisebetween the'bends I and 2 of the rods, producing a lengthening of thecoupling. pole described; also, that forces acting toward each otherfrom opposite ends l of the pole, as when a towed automobile tends totravel faster than the towing v-eh'icle. the terminals 1 and 2" act uponopposite ends of the spring, which latter yieldingly resists the exertedforce, serving in the capacity of a buffer.

What is claimed is- 1. A tow-rod for vehicles, comprising a 0 upon theopposite end of said spring.

2. A tow-rod for vehicles, comprising a compression spring ofcylindrical coil form, and a pair of correspondingly shaped rodsassociated with said spring, said rods being directed longitudinallythrough said spring from opposite ends of the latter and each having itsouter end adapted for attachment to a vehicle, said rods having theirinner end portions bent back and disposed parallel to and'exteriorly ofsaid spring and having their terminal portions bent inward into seatedrelation to the spring at the end opposite the return bend, the bends ofeach rod being spaced apart a distance substantially corresponding tothe normal length of said spring.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

' LEN B. SNYDER.

